Public Health and Epidemiology Review

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to public health, epidemiology, and healthcare systems based on the provided lecture notes.

Non-modifiable risk factor

A risk factor that cannot be changed or controlled, such as age or genetics.

RR = 14

Indicates a positive association between the factors studied.

Vaccine

A tool of primary prevention.

RR = 1

Indicates NO association between the factors studied.

RR = 0.7

Indicates a negative association between the factors studied.

Hospital trusts in Italy

Characterized by having economic and financial autonomy, identified by the Italian regions.

Bismarck health system

A compulsory social insurance scheme based on membership in occupational categories.

Article 32, Italian Constitution

Document recognizing health as a fundamental right and collective interest in Italy.

OR = -1

It’s not possible to have this outcome.

Airborne disease

A disease that can be transmitted through the air, such as measles.

HIV infectivity

A patient with HIV is no longer infective when the virus in their blood is undetectable.

Prevalence of HIV

Is reducing because of antiretroviral treatment and preventive measures.

Pandemic vs. Epidemic

A pandemic is the presence of a disease in multiple regions or continents, while an epidemic is an unusual occurrence in a specific area.

Alpha and beta radiations

Types of radiations that can be classified as ionizing.

RR = 4 (95% CI: 0.99 – 14)

There is NO statistically significant association because the CI includes 1.

P-value cut off for significance

Typically set at 0.05 or 0.001 for determining statistical significance.

Secondary prevention intervention

A screening campaign.

Endemic

The constant presence of a disease in a population.

Tuberculosis infectivity

A patient with tuberculosis is no longer infective after 2 weeks of proper treatment.

Social determinants of health

Described by the Dahlgren and Whitehead rainbow.

Infection

The entry and multiplication of an infectious agent in the host.

LEA (Livelli Essenziali di Assistenza)

Essential levels of care guaranteed by the Italian health system.

OECD health expenditure report

Indicates health expenditure for prevention is generally less than 5%.

Italian Ministry of Health establishment year

Established in 2005.

Odds ratio (OR)

Calculated in case-control studies.

RR or OR > 1

Indicates a factor increases the risk of developing the disease.

Prevention of road accidents measures

Includes the use of helmets and traffic education campaigns.

Sugar consumption and dental caries

Sugar is the main cause of dental caries with a clear dose-effect relationship.

Surveillance system uses

Monitoring disease trends and identifying new syndromes.

Herd immunity

Collective protection resulting from reduced circulation of infection in a vaccinated population.

Randomized clinical trial

Study where a sample is assigned to receive either a new or currently available vaccine.

Italian NHS reforms decade

Main reforms for the Italian NHS occurred in the 1990s.

Jonas Salk

Developed the vaccine against poliovirus.

Screening test characteristics

Must be safe, easy to perform, and not expensive.

Incidence vs prevalence

Incidence measures new cases over time, prevalence measures total cases at a specific time.

COVID contact definition

Defined as being in contact with an infective patient for 15 minutes.

Pandemic definition

An unusual occurrence of a disease over a larger geographical area.

Isolation measures

Prevent the spread of infectious disease through separation from the community.

Endemic disease

Continuous and constant presence within a population.

Unknown risk factors

Non-communicable diseases can have both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors.

Life expectancy measure

The average number of years a person can expect to live.

Carrier state

Refers to individuals who can harbor pathogens without exhibiting symptoms.

Health care system executives

Understanding public health governance and policy implications.

Social determinants in health analysis

Economic, social, and physical conditions contributing to health disparities.

Vaccine effectiveness

Measured by the ability to prevent infection, illness, and complications.

Epidemic characterization

An unusual increase in disease cases within a defined area.

Vaccination campaigns

Implemented for primary prevention in public health.

Risk management in health policy

Systematic assessment of health-related risks.

Statistical significance in research

Determined by p-values and confidence intervals.

Healthcare expenditure trends

Monitoring changing projections for public health initiatives.

HIV transmission routes

Transmitted through sexual intercourse and shared needles.

Epidemiological transition model

Shift in disease patterns occurring alongside societal changes.

Surveillance methods in epidemiology

Essential for proactive disease monitoring.

Public health law significance

Impact of laws in shaping health outcomes.

Vaccination history review

Significant milestones in vaccine development.

Healthcare quality assessment

Rating systems to evaluate health service provision.

Community health principles

Advocating for local health needs through policy.

Quantitative research methods

Utilizing statistical data to derive health conclusions.

Health systems strengthening

Strategies for improving healthcare access and quality.

Healthcare reform critiques

Evaluating effectiveness and efficiency in health systems.

Outcomes of vaccination efforts

Assessing the public health impact of vaccination campaigns.

Public health messaging complexities

Challenges in communicating health-related information.

Ethics in medical research

Considerations around participant welfare and rights.

Patient-centered care approach

Focusing on individual health needs and preferences.

Cultural competence in healthcare

Recognizing and addressing cultural differences in patient care.

New disease outbreak management

Strategies for containment and response to epidemics.

Public health surveillance advancement

Utilizing technology for disease monitoring.

Global health priorities

Identifying and addressing health inequalities.

Community health empowerment

Engaging communities in health promotion.

Health education initiatives

Programs aimed at improving public health literacy.

Behavioral health interventions

Strategies to address mental health within public health.

Collaborative health initiatives

Partnering across sectors for comprehensive health planning.

Impact evaluation in public health

Assessing the effectiveness of health programs.

Scientific integrity in health research

Ensuring ethical practices in research methodologies.

Data collection methods in epidemiology

Utilizing surveys, interviews, and observational studies.

Advocacy for health policy changes

Promoting legislative reform to improve health systems.

Insurance models in healthcare

Comparing different health insurance systems and their effects.

Health financing models

Understanding how healthcare is funded and managed.

Healthcare access barriers

Identifying obstacles to receiving necessary health services.

Disease prevention strategies

Implementing measures to reduce disease incidence.

Environmental health considerations

Evaluating the impact of environmental factors on health.

Health outcomes data analysis

Using data to inform public health strategies.

Infectious disease protocols

Guidelines for managing and preventing disease spread.

Vaccine development challenges

Addressing the obstacles in vaccine creation and distribution.

Health system capacity building

Improving health facilities and workforce training.

Public health funding trends

Monitoring the economics of health initiatives.

Emergency preparedness in health

Preparing healthcare systems for public health emergencies.

Crisis communication in health

Effectively conveying information during health crises.

Integrative healthcare approaches

Combining different methods for holistic patient care.

Long-term care policy considerations

Planning for aging populations and chronic illnesses.